Rally halted after death crash

THE Wales Rally GB has been halted after a co-driver was killed in a crash. Michael Park, 39, from Newent, Gloucestershire, died after his team-mate Markko Martin smashed into a tree in Margam, South Wales.

THE Wales Rally GB has been halted after a co-driver was killed in a crash.

Michael Park, 39, from Newent, Gloucestershire, died after his team-mate Markko Martin smashed into a tree in Margam, South Wales.

Estonian Mr Martin escaped uninjured in the accident, which happened during stage 15 of the rally.

Organisers confirmed that Mr Park, who was racing in the Peugeot team, had suffered fatal injuries in the crash.

A spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that the organisers of Wales Rally GB confirm that Michael Park (39) of Newent, Gloucestershire, UK, co-driver in car number eight has been fatally injured following an accident in special stage 15. The next of kin has been informed.

The stage was halted immediately after the accident and will not be resumed.

The second run through the Margam stage, scheduled to be the last stage of the event, was also cancelled.

That left just one stage remaining, but organisers were yet to confirm whether that would be run.

Mr Park, nicknamed Beef, had been Mr Martin's co-driver since 2000 and was a familiar face in the world championship.

South Wales Police said they had launched an investigation into the crash.